your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
275
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................255
F
Fail safe cooling ........................328
Family entertainment system ....45
Fluid capacities .........................346
Fog lamps ....................................88
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................270
Fuel ............................................330
calculating fuel
economy ..........................119, 335
cap ...........................................332
capacity ...................................346
choosing the right fuel ...........333
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................338
detergent in fuel .....................334
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................330, 332, 335
filter, specifications ........330, 345
fuel pump shut-off switch .....278
improving fuel economy ........335
octane rating ...................334, 348
quality ......................................334
running out of fuel .................335
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................330
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......278
Fuses ..........................................279
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............332
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................335
Gauges .........................................16H
Hazard flashers .........................278
Head restraints .........155, 161–162
Headlamps ...................................87
aiming ........................................90
autolamp system .......................87
bulb specifications ....................92
daytime running lights .............89
flash to pass ..............................89
high beam .................................88
replacing bulbs .........................93
turning on and off ....................87
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...............74, 76, 78, 80, 82
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................114
Hood ..........................................315
How to get going ........................18
I
Ignition ...............................252, 348
Illuminated visor mirror .............99
Infant seats (see Safety
seats) .........................................203
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................340
Instrument panel ........................99
cleaning ...................................311
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................89
J
Jack ............................................285
positioning ...............................285
2009 Taurus X(219)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
355
